I really liked the setting of this book, as well as the complex representation of ADHD and Autism, but I was left wanting something from the romance. I have loved every other romance book by this author, and I just felt that the development between the characters was really lacking in this book.

There were some really strong elements to Late Bloomer by Mazey Eddings. First and foremost, the representation was great! Almost every character was queer, including possibly the most bisexual characters I've ever seen in one book. There was also neurodivergent representation that seemed to be handled with a lot of care.

The main characters, Opal and Pepper, were pretty relatable in a lot of ways. However, certain aspects of their personalities felt a bit unrealistic. For instance, Opal was a people pleaser but, especially at the beginning, the degree to which she was willing to bend over backwards for anyone regardless of how poorly they treated her felt extravagant. Then, she made the decision to try and stand up for herself more and it was as if she had flipped a switch and instantly solved the issue. The ease with which she stopped letting people step all over her made me wonder why she had ever done it in the first place.

The romance was cute but I didn't totally feel the connection between Opal and Pepper. Things between them developed a bit too quickly for my liking and it felt more like lust than love. However, there were still cute moments they shared together and I liked the way Opal showed up for Pepper and Pepper looked out for Opal in a way that neither of them had ever experienced before.

The plot was slow moving and at times I found myself wishing it would move faster. For the first 50% especially I felt like barely anything happened, That said, outside of the main plot there were some more emotional storylines that were well done. I especially liked the depiction of grief.

Overall, this wasn't a favorite romance for me but if the story sounds interesting to you and/or you're looking for neurodivergent representation and an easy-to-read sapphic romance with slightly heavier topics throughout, give this one a try.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and to SMP for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I wanted to like this one so much. I have read previous Mazey Eddings and loved them, but this one just fell so terribly flat for me. Opal starts the book talking pretty much exclusively about what a push over she is as if that was her only trait and after winning the lottery, instead of just, idk saying no, she spends her entire winnings on a flower farm. A sale she found on Facebook marketplace. So, you pretty much start out questioning her functionality as an actual human person but when she meets with Trish and writes her a $310,000 check (an extra $10,000 because she's so darn likable!) for a plot of land with literally not a lawyer in sight you realize that she is, indeed, an idiot. Unfortunately, I think Eddings was trying to make her a likable idiot, but she is so overwritten as one that it's basically a caricature of a human, not an actual one. Her entire internal dialogue is about how likable and trustworthy Trish is meanwhile Trish was triggering my fight or flight response.

In comes Pepper, Trish's long abandoned daughter and rightful owner of the property Opal just purchased. While not as dumb as Opal, Pepper is also written so one dimensionally. She's just angry. Opal tries to do a nice thing after doing literally nothing to hurt Pepper and Pepper acts out like Opal has been spending years abusing her.

Nothing in this book was even kind of realistic and no character was likable. I tried my best but ended up DNFing around 30% after trying again twice to read it. I'm so sorry to Eddings but this one was not for me.

Late Bloomer shows us how two neurodivergent characters can complement each other so well. Opal is bright lives in the moment and is looking for a new start after winning a large sum on a scratch off. Pepper is reserved keeps to herself and a select few people. She feels most at hone when she is working on the flower farm. Put these two together after a huge misunderstanding will make you laugh and cry.

Thank you netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this digital arc. All opinions are my own.

What a delightful read! It’s light, fun, and utterly charming, making me smile, laugh, and even gasp several times! Between the endearing small-town setting, the hilarious grumpy x sunshine dynamic, the delicious forced proximity, and a perfectly paced slow burn, I was completely hooked! The neurodivergent representation of the two main characters is beautifully done, and the touch of angst in certain scenes added an emotional depth that really moved me. The engaging writing, brisk pacing, and short chapters made it impossible to put down—I devoured it in less than a day without any moments of boredom or heaviness. I truly can’t say enough good things!

The setting of Thistle and Bloom Farms is stunning—a farm surrounded by fields of vibrant flowers, nestled in the peaceful embrace of nature, far from the hustle and bustle. The vivid descriptions of this picturesque landscape were incredibly cozy and captivating.

Opal and Pepper, the two protagonists with their alternating first-person perspectives, completely won me over! They’re complex, full of doubts and fears, and I became deeply attached to them. The romance, with all the tropes I mentioned above, was beautifully developed. I found myself rooting for them as they cautiously navigated their feelings for each other. Their interactions were tender and sizzling, the chemistry was undeniable, and the spicy moments were really well done! I adored them, and the secondary characters were also wonderfully fleshed out and likable.

Overall, "Late Bloomer" is an adorable, fun, and cozy romance that I thoroughly enjoyed!

An enemies to lovers romance about a woman who buys a failing flower farm after she wins the lottery.

I think it too long to really get to the chemistry between Opal and Pepper here. Normally for enemies to lovers, you want that zing between them early so that their feuding feels worthwhile. I just didn't get that enough here so I wasn't cheering for them to get together!

After a long string of abuses due to her winning the lottery, Opal decides she needs a huge change of pace...so she impulsively purchases a farm on Facebook Marketplace. She's flummoxed to find the ornery Pepper living there when she arrives. Opal and Pepper decide they can cohabitate for the time being: Opal can use an outbuilding as her art studio for her sneaker-painting business while Pepper continues to cultivate the land and her beautiful flower farm. Tension rises and it isn't long before their distaste for one another turns into lust. This is a swoony enemy to lovers story that is totally immersive. Absolutely lovable characters with history and hope.

This book is so adorable. Good sapphic romance is do hard to come by. Not just that, this is like a cozy rom com with neurodivergent representation. I loved it.

Thank you to Griffin Press for the arc, it didn't affect my opinion

I am soooo picky when it comes to sapphic romance and this one did not pass my standards. A lot of the conflict felt melodramatic and unnecessary and I just didn't feel the chemistry between Pepper and Opal.

Mazey edding's stories are some of my favorites. they always hit the spot. I loved this book. its not my favorite from her but what a sweet lesbian romance.

Fuck anything and anyone that made you have to survive instead of live. You deserve a life so peaceful it feels deliciously boring. A life filled with flowers and sunny days and people who show you all the time that you’re valued and worthy. You deserve it all.”

– Late Bloomer
Mazey Eddings

I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

It was a charming and cozy read. I would recommend it. I just wished it focused more on the character development and less on the intimate scenes. Mazey Eddings is an auto buy author for me. I love her neurodivergent representation in her books.

Late Bloomer by Mazey Eddings had well-developed characters and a plot that was original and engaging. This book was a wonderful read. I highly recommend!

**Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the e-ARC. All opinions expressed are voluntary and my own.**

This was a delightful sapphic romance! It was endearing and I loved the representation of a relationship with one autistic partner and an ADHD partner, and while that pairing can be difficult you're also able to give each other grace.

While Opal may start as a doormat, it's lovely to see her bloom and grow from that because of the relationship she and Pepper have. They may be initially at odds, but they grow to understand and support one another as tentative friends while slowly they grow to love one another. The pining on Pepper's side is exquisite.

The thing about Late Bloomer is that I was perfectly content around halfway through, and I didn't really feel the need to go through the third act drama. I was happy, they were happy, and so I put the book down and wandered away from it for awhile. This does speaking to the pacing of the book, but it also speaks to the characters. I loved them, and wanted the best for them, and there was little else drawing me forward once that urgency was gone.

What a lovely book! Mazey Eddings is an auto-buy author for me, and I was not disappointed with her latest. I definitely would not have made the same decisions as Opal and Pepper at any point in this book HAHA, but their story was impossible to put down. Can't wait for Mazey's next.

I dnf'd this, it just didn't capture my attention the way I wanted it to. I really valued the representation for chronic illness and neurospiciness. I may be burned out of fluffy romantic comedies so take my review with a grain of salt and still give this a try.

Thank you to the author, Netgalley, and St Martin's for the ARC.

(3.5 / 5.0) I really enjoy this author and the way she builds characters, and am in love with this beautiful cover art. I didn't fall head over heels for this plotline, but I was entertained and having a good time reading along the way. I think this book would work for anyone who loves a forced proximity situation where you kinda have to suspend reality to believe the proximity would ever happen, twenty-something coming of age mixed with romance, LBGTQIA representation (yay!), and some witty humor along the way. I think I fell in love with the characters themselves, but not the love story. All-in-all, a solid romantic read with spice woven in.

Side note - I live in Asheville, where the story is set and where the author lives, and it's cool to see local authors making it!

I am so happy there are more and more sapphic romances coming out and being published! I am a sucker for forced proximity, so I enjoyed that about this book! I also really enjoyed getting to know Pepper and Opal. These two were just such a fun match and had such a good backstories. I also enjoyed the side characters as well! This one was just a good time, and I'm glad I read it!

I'm withholding my review of Late Bloomer in solidarity with the #SpeakUpSMP boycott. Please visit https://r4acollective.org/about/ for more information.

Late Bloomer was such a fun, sweet, sapphic romance. It was witty and charming, and overall lovely to see how Pepper and Opal worked through their issues. The chemistry wasn't always believable, and the pacing was sometimes a bit off but I really enjoyed this one.